Friday, April 12, 2024 The Wind and The Willow Woman

The Willow Woman had a wreath of bright yellow leaves around her head and a necklace of autumn-red leaves around her neck. She never went anywhere without them and indeed could be spotted from far away when her leaves twinkled and fluttered as she walked.

One day, the mischievous West Wind decided to play a trick on the Willow Woman. He’d seen those beautiful leafy garlands and thought they’d look much better sailing through the skies. As she was out walking, he approached with gentle breezes and at the last moment grabbed out with strong gusty fingers and lifted them right off. “Got ‘em!” he exulted and carried them away high into the warm sapphire skies where they twirled and twisted in his hands.

“Oh, my crown! My necklace!” cried the Willow Woman as she ran to get them back. “The West Wind has stolen my jewels!” Having raised the alarm, she continued running, but it was futile. The Wind was too fast and the leaves were too high above her. There was none that could help her. She wept in frustration and sorrow over this great loss. The Sun took pity on her. Just as he was disappearing below the horizon, he whispered in her ear, “Meet me on the field just after dawn. Do not be late.” The words faded away and purple night came.

The Willow Woman was up before dawn, pacing back and forth in the field. At last, the Sun began his ascent. When the first true rays cast their lengthy lines over the world, he called out, “I’ve given you long legs – do not wait another moment. Run, Willow Woman! Your legs will carry you farther and higher than you’ve ever gone before, but only for a short time. Run and catch that thief!”

So she ran, and to her amazement, she was able to cover miles and miles in just a few steps. Her head was halfway to the top of the sky. She looked as she ran and before long, she saw a fiery red-gold whirlwind ahead. The West Wind looked behind him and saw her gaining on him. He’d been up all night making his new toys dance in the sky, but now he was slowing down. The Willow Woman leaped and reached and with long fingers she seized what was hers. And just in time, for as the Sun steadily rose, her legs began to shorten and her pace faltered.

She put her crown and necklace back on and shook her fist at the naughty West Wind. “Don’t you know what happens to tricksters and thieves?” The West Wind laughed at her. She was now back to her normal size and he did not fear her. But the Lord of the sun, wind and the whole wide world grabbed hold of the laughing West Wind and spanked him all the way across the globe till he cried.